Tuesday, April 17, 2007

5K Baby!

Aaron's Mom probably didn't realize she was setting me up with a challenge when she first posted about running 5K a couple weeks ago. Well, challenged I felt, therefore, a self-challenge I created. I really wanted to be able to run 5 kilometers. Really run it. Like, without stopping or walking. So I started working my way towards that.

I've never been a runner. NEVER. In school I purposely avoided the sports that had a lot of running. I completely avoided soccer. Forget track. Why would I ever possibly want to do that to myself? But since I got married, I started jogging slowly here and there over the years. I usually hate it, but it's the one form of exercise that really gets me the results I want. So I've tolerated it. And slowly, it became less painful. I wouldn't say I've come to the point were I enjoy it or anything. By no means am I interested in training for a marathon or anything crazy like that. But I've reached a point were if I do some other cardio exercise instead, I don't feel as if I've had a really good workout.

Mostly I run a mile and a half or so. Two miles has been my distance lately. It's not too hard or too long, yet I am ready to quit and do something different by then. I haven't been able to run 3 miles for a LONG time, and the few times I've come close over the past year, it's been at an extremely slow 3 miles, broken here and there with walking. I've slowly been building up to 3 miles at a 10 minute mile pace since Katelyn was born, but every time I got close to my goal, I'd get sick or the girls would get sick or we'd go on vacation and I'd end up back at the starting point, panting my way though a mile again.

But that changed today.

Today I ran 3.1 miles in 31 minutes and 10 seconds.

Without stopping.

I know, I know. For you real runners out there, that's so lame. But I don't care. It was a big accomplishment for me. I'm very proud of myself. I feel GREAT about it. I think I'll do it again tomorrow.

And you know the best part? I have more hope of reaching my true goal, which is to be able to run 5 miles. Now I know I'll eventually do it. It may takes months and months, but the 5K was just the beginning. And I've done it. There's no stopping me now.

(Still not interested in a marathon, though. Triathlon-yes. 26 miles? No way in you-know-where.)

10 comments:

I wish I lived near you...I would totally drag you into this triathlon thing with me.

You sound just like me...hate running, about 10 minute miles. But a friend of mine (normal stay at home mom who isn't athletic) did a triathlon last summer and gave me the bug. My goal is 5 this summer. Check out the book 12 Week Triathlete...by Tom Horton I think...something along those lines...easy read and good beginner information!

Angie's Mom here....Congratulations on a awesome achievement! It's fabulous to hear about your adventures in running. Keep it going! OK, now my plug for triathlon...go to www.danskin.com/triathlon.html. This is the PREMIER first time triathlon for WOMEN only. I did my first sprint triathlon in San Jose. I couldn't swim freestyle, and did the whole distance on my back doing backstroke. That was many years ago, and I was hooked immediately. Finished Ironman 2005 in just under 16 hours. See what having a goal does? BTW, I love reading your blog. Your girls are adorable.

No really, Marky Mark? That is funny. Then again, I listen to P.O.D. and about blow my own eardrums out. whatever gets one foot in front of the other I guess. L- treadmill for 48 min? THAT is insane..outdoors is so much better.

The Main Attraction

Just a Bit About Me

What would you like to know? I'm 37, I (sort of) stay at home with my kids of whom I have three. My girls are 8 and 6 while the boy is 3. My husband brings me coffee in bed almost every morning, which just about makes him the best husband ever. Once, a long long time ago, I was an underpaid, extremely hard working elementary school teacher. Now, not only I am the teacher, but the nurse, janitor, secretary, principal and lunch lady. I'm just trying to figure out how to be a good mom, model the love of Jesus, and keep my house clean. I'll take all the help I can get.